The dinner celebration begins at 6 p.m., and there are still spaces available to the general public. The cost of the dinner is $50 per person.

For more information on the festivities or to RSVP, contact Jo Anne Paty (Associate Athletic Director for Development) at (423) 439-4738 or paty@mail.etsu.edu.

About Coach Walker

Walker, who was one of 10 members enshrined into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame earlier in May, received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from ETSU. He has coached 34 All-Americans during his tenure in Johnson City. Not only has Walker led the Bucs to 22 cross country conference championships and 11 track and field conference titles, but he also groomed three Olympians – Ed Leddy, Neil Cusack, and Ray Flynn.

In addition to being named to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Walker was also inducted into U.S. Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2003) and the ETSU Hall of Fame (1996).

Walker has enjoyed a lot of success in cross country and track and field at ETSU, as he coached Neil Cusack to the 1972 NCAA Cross Country National Championship title, while his famous “Irish Brigade” team was the runner-up the same year. From 1970-83, Walker carried his cross country teams to 14 consecutive NCAA National Championship appearances, which was an NCAA record for a coach at the current time.

In terms of coaches and all-around people, Walker is one of the most well-respected individuals in the industry. Walker has received the U.S. Track Meet Directors Howard Schmertz Lifetime Achievement Award, while the NCAA Men’s South Regional Cross Country Coach of the Year honor has been named on his behalf.